When the transfer window opens, Manchester United will do everything in their power to sign a new midfielder as soon as possible.
While fans beg Casemiro to stay at Old Trafford, the Brazilian continues to say he will leave the Premier League at the end of the season.
Rumors have been swirling about potential replacements, with United looking for two midfielders to soften the blow.
One of those could be the more expensive options of Sandro Tonali and Elliott Anderson at £100m. The idea is that they are likely to spend a premium on one midfielder before signing cheaper options such as Atalanta’s Ederson or West Ham’s Matheus Fernandes.
That said, central areas are not the only area United are looking to strengthen.
Man United look at the large number of young players
A new midfielder is a top priority this summer, but United are reportedly interested in signing a number of young players.
Bournemouth have been linked with a move for Eli Junior Crupi, but most of the Premier League’s elite clubs are interested and the Cherries do not want to sell him this summer. He could cost as much as £100m.
Wolves’ Matheus Mane is also the subject of interest from the country’s best sides, with many looking to take advantage of the fact that Rob Edwards’ side have been relegated.
Manchester United’s most expensive contract in history
Many of their additions have not lived up to expectations.
Come to think of it, Leicester City’s relegation to League One will also be taken advantage of.
Many Premier League clubs won’t like many players, but wonderkid Jeremy Monga is one that is generating interest. This is according to a report from Roundtable, which claims that Jason Wilcox met with Leicester club officials this week to discuss signing Monga.
United are said to have a “strong interest” in the 16-year-old, who is expected to leave the King Power in the coming months.
Why Monga could be the new Rashford
One of United’s biggest priorities last summer was strengthening their wide areas.
They have done a pretty impressive job with Brian Mbeumo joining from Brentford and Matheus Cunha joining from Wolves. Both have had an incredible impact and were key to qualifying for the Champions League.
With the performances of these two players, Marcus Rashford’s time at his boyhood club is all but over. Michael Carrick could give him a lifeline, but the general consensus is that he will be out for good in the summer.
Rashford has spent this season on loan at Barcelona and the Spanish giants are keen to have him back.
In Monga, the Red Devils could secure the next version of Rashford. The latter may not have been 15 when he made his Premier League debut, but he was 18. Both made their breakthroughs at the highest level as teenagers.
The United academy graduate scored twice, on his debut and against Arsenal in February 2016.
They could sign another wonderkid in the form of Monga, who has similar attributes to a young Rashford.
The youngster is the third-youngest player in Premier League history but endured a difficult 2025/26 season. The entire Leicester team will tell the truth. He scored just one goal and recorded two assists.
Youngest player in Premier League history | |
|---|---|
player | Debut age |
1) Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal) | 15 years 5 months |
2) Max Doman (Arsenal) | 15 years 7 months |
3) Jeremy Monga (Leicester) | 15 years 8 months |
4) Harvey Elliott (Fulham) | 16 years 1 month |
5) Matt Briggs (Fulham) | 16 years 2 months |
6) Izzy Brown (West Brom) | 16 years 3 months |
7) Aaron Lennon (Leeds) | 16 years 4 months |
8) Jose Baxter (Everton) | 16 years 6 months |
9) Joel Drakes-Thomas (Palace) | 16 years 6 months |
10) Gary McSheffrey (Coventry) | 16 years 6 months |
That being said, remember this is 16 years old. He shouldn’t play in the first team yet. His rise to fame was particularly impressive. Monga has played in 27 games in the second division this season, and although he hasn’t always been brilliant, he has great potential.
So what, other than his early breakthrough, makes him so similar to Rashford? Well, he is incredibly quick, quick and amazing with the ball in tight spaces, and boasts a low center of gravity that helps him manipulate the ball and get around opponents easily.
Como scout Ben Mattinson hailed him as “England’s Ousmane Dembele”, noting that Monga is “pacy and a good dribbler”, “a decisive finisher and a two-footed ball striker”.
Rashford isn’t a perfect two-footed player, but he’s particularly quick and effective when darting past his markers.
The Leicester teenager may not be the most exciting addition Wilcox and Co. could make this summer, but he could very well play a key role in the continued success of this great club in the future.
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